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"Some conditions apply" This payment is in addition to your standard rental return & will allow you to run your own rental guarantee Phone today 1800 000 916 All homes come ready to rent with quality inclusions & fittings such as: Stainless Steel Appliances Light Fittings Carpets & Ceramic Tiles Air-Conditioning Ceiling fans Turfing Verticals Fencing and much more please call us for further information or check out our web site at www.wacalhousing.com.au Deal direct with the developer/builder & save thousands !! Finance assistance is also available Full depreciation shedules are also supplied with every package PROPERTY INVESTMENT WILL SECURE YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE FOR DEFENCE MEMBERS ONLY WE ARE NOW OFFERING Quality selected home & land packages in high rental demand areas throughout South East Queensland from as little as $269,000 One full years rent paid in advance --- The choice of Service Personnel --- Links with the ADF for more than 25 years Military Compensation All states, all services Protect your position NOW! Freecall - 1800 773 880 Wyatt Attorneys 903/276 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 (Next to Defence Plaza) 02 92627338 info@wyatts.com.au 5 News AIR FORCE March 20, 2008 By FLTLT Justine Harman AIR Combat Group (ACG) looked back on a busy operational period as it celebrated its sixth anniversary recently. The group stood up on January 1, 2002, after a merger of the former Strike Reconnaissance and Tactical Fighter Groups to provide a single com- mand structure for Air Force's fleet of combat fast-jet aircraft. Commander ACG AIRCDRE Kym Osley said that the merger had proved a challenge. "Both SRG and TFG were very much 'platform' focussed," he said. "ACG is far better placed to respond to the intro- duction of the new air combat capability. "Six years down-track, we are reaping the benefits of increased stand- ardisation and a focus on capability rather than being platform-centric." Since its formation, group squadrons had experienced a level of operational activity not encountered for many years. "Hornets deployed to Diego Garcia to provide air defence during Operation Slipper, during Operation Guardian II to protect the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in south-east Queensland, and a squadron deployed to Iraq in 2003 during Operation Falconer." AIRCDRE Osley said. "ACG also maintains a busy train- ing schedule, including participation in high-end exercises such as Pitch Black in Australia, Red Flag in the United States and the Bersama series [in Malaysia]," he said. There are "exciting times" ahead for his group over the next decade as it faces the largest changes in aircraft and weap- onry that the Air Force has experienced in recent times. "We shall maintain a credible F-111 strike capability until the end of 2010. This will involve 1SQN and 6SQN [forming] a 'super squadron' as it works to phase out the F-111," he said. The way to ensure the smooth transition and implementation of all these changes was by effective communication and good planning. Management of the workforce was one of the most important challenges facing the group and it was paramount that this was done effectively and competently. "Without these people, the aircraft will not be turned into capabilities that the government can use," AIRCDRE Osley said. "The changes over the next decade will provide plenty of excitement and ACG will be the place to be as it moves into this new chapter." Based at RAAF Base Williamtown, the group comprises three wings: 82WG with 1 and 6SQNs (F-111s) and the Forward Air Control Development Unit (PC-9s); 81WG with 3, 75 and 77SQNs and No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit (Hornets); and 78WG with 76 and 79SQNs (Hawks). The group comprises 126 aircraft, 163 aircrew and more than 2000 support personnel. Future challenges include the intro- duction of new aircraft and reorgani- sation of 1 and 6SQNs. A Special Tactics capability is to stand up in 2009. ACG at a glance Six not out for ACG Air Combat Group celebrates its sixth anniversary and looks ahead NOW WE ARE SIX: From left, OFFCDT Annabel Szekely, ACW Libby Perkins, CDR ACG AIRCDRE Kym Osley, WOFF ACG WOFF Michael Kearney and OFFCDT Ryan Kanay represent Air Combat Group, which recently celebrated its sixth anniversary. Photo by CPL Peter Borys